At some point during your pregnancy, your doctor is likely to ask you to get an ultrasound done, and if you are a first-time mom, you might ask why you need it. It could be a special part of your pregnancy as it could be the first time you get to see your developing baby. You would likely get ultrasound exams between the 18th and 20th week of your pregnancy. Still, the timing could depend on your doctor’s recommendation. For an ultrasound in Memorial City, contact a specialist at Memorial Women’s Specialists for a great experience in observing your developing baby. The procedure can also be used as a diagnostic tool for your physician.
Observing the Embryo
At first, the doctor will use the ultrasound to confirm pregnancy, and they can identify if you have twins, triplets, and more. You will get to see the hands, legs, and other body parts, depending on the baby’s position and when the ultrasound is conducted. You might also check if it is a boy or a girl, and you could ask your doctor to either tell you their gender or wait for it to be a surprise during childbirth.
Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool
Your doctor could check the baby’s gestational age to determine if it has a normal growth rate. For instance, they could measure some of the developmental features such as limbs against well-established growth measurement charts. The gestational age could be checked against that of the mother’s last menstrual period, and it could help determine the due date and ensure that the baby is not delivered too early or too late.
Problems with the placenta could be detected using ultrasound, as its position is important for the mother and the baby’s health. You could easily note placenta problems such as placenta Previa and vasa Previa when you conduct an ultrasound. Any defects that could be fatal could require that the mother stays in hospital under bed rest to avoid complications during the pregnancy and childbirth.
You could also check the levels of the amniotic fluid produced by the fetus; if it is too little or too much, it could indicate a severe problem that may require immediate intervention. Additionally, you could monitor its fetal position, which could affect the methods of delivery.
Doctors could check for congenital anomalies during an ultrasound exam. Some parents could prefer to terminate a pregnancy if it had congenital disorders. Even if they could not terminate it, some would want to know how to prepare for the specific problems’ difficulties.
The Bottom Line
Ultrasound is essential, and one should get it done during their pregnancy as it helps show embryonic growth and development. You could note congenital disorders and other problems and determine how you need to prepare for your baby. Moreover, it guides the doctor on conducting the best delivery, especially if the baby is in a breech position.